Warp Speed!

A couple of weeks ago we were on the Snoqualmie Pass and it was snowing! I had to take a picture and this is what it looked like. The kids immediately said, "Warp Speed!" I'll tell ya what, I wish I was moving in "Warp Speed" today! I just can't seem to get my groove on!

100th Episode...

or rather, this is my 100th post! I can't believe it! I have been waiting and excited for this post because it is like a little milestone for me. I NEVER thought that I would get into this blogging thing and now I am hopelessly devoted. A big shout-out to Jane Payne and Beka Mardis for introducing it to me and getting me on board! Thanks Ladies! Here's to blogging!

In TV land they do a re-cap of their favorite shows in their 100th, which I will include in my Top 10 List: Reasons why I love to blog!

10. It is a great way to journal. (All posts! Taking this from Jane Payne because I think it is very creative: "Life in My World" is
a weekly post that she writes about according to what her day is like).

9. It is also a great way to scrapbook since I am going to be publishing mine, hopefully once a year for posterity.
(Christmas with Cousins)

8. An occassional "Venting" post is helpful. (Bah Humbug)

7. Keeps memories alive! (Some favorite childhood memories: Brawley Girl)

6. Sometimes blogging helps me focus on goals that I would like to achieve. (Jungle Red)

5. I get to share certain "Milestones." (Sssshhhh!)

4. It's Fun! (Would You Go Back?)

3. I enjoy getting to know others through Blogging! (Goodbye 2008 - my long, lost friend Carrie's post)

2. I have been able to re-connect with dear friends who have stumbled onto my site and connect with family who don't live
close by. (Six Degrees of Separation - Cathy Wiley's post)

1. Helps me reflect upon my blessings, which are innumerable! (Sunday Blessings)

"Soul Man"

Who says dance is only for girls??? Here is my harmonica playing, foot clogging, hip hop loving, soul man. This is Luke's second year of dance and after being teased a little bit by a few of his friends I didn't know if he would do it again. However, once they see the boys perform they realize that they don't look so girly after all, ha ha. In fact, a few of them have said that they want to join as well! This year the boys did a clogging number to the Blues Brothers, "Soul Man." They competed in Seattle and got 2nd overall! Before the show, we gave him the usual - Pep (Bribery) Talk and crossed our fingers that he would show some personality. So, along with encouragement from their teachers and the directors, the boys came out and had a great time! Regardless of where they place, to see them have so much fun on stage is the payoff! So, what did my dancing boy want as a (Bribe) gift? A Gun, of course! A toy, nerf gun but, a gun, nonetheless! Troy wanted me to mention that.




This was their Hip Hop number. I don't know if you can tell but, they have skeleton's painted on their sweatshirts. The dance company is always so creative in their costumes.

The Teens

Last weekend was Alex's 13th birthday! I showed her this picture of me because I am about 13 years old there. Her first response was, "Do you have makeup on?" Ha Ha! I proceeded to tell her that just because it looked like I NEEDED it didn't mean that SHE was going to get to wear any. Well, maybe some mascara, occassionally! My eyelashes are transparent without it. I strategically married a dark haired man to counterbalance that and it worked!


Here she is with her electric guitar even though it looks more like a banjo!! Let's just say that it will be a cake that we will never forget!


We also played a couple of games. I played a little bit from a couple of songs on Alex's playlist and they had to identify as many songs as possible. We also had them write down the lyrics from her favorite song and the winner with the most words, received one of her favorite CD's. I love iPods! They are so much easier than big, console stereos with vinyl records.


Happy Birthday Alex!

The Ties That Bind

Last weekend my mother and sister came up for our annual "Girls Only Weekend!" Years ago we decided to make it a tradition to get together and spoil ourselves annually! We stay in a hotel, shop, get pedicures or facials and EAT OUT!! In other words, we have a BLAST! There is nothing like remembering when with people who remember and making new memories. Sure, we have the same blood and family but I think the time that we take to spend with each other is the binding glue that melds us together. I am looking forward to including our daughters as they get older!

Some Kind Of Wonderful

Here is Kate's Word Wall. Every week she gets two new words to put up and practice. One night, I came into her room and she had added her own pieces of art to the wall. At first, I didn't realize what it was and just went about putting her and Ellie to bed. However, when we got to practicing the words I just about burst into laughter when I saw what she had taped up. She had placed two panty liner papers in between her words for decoration. Then I thought, "Ugh, where did she get them?" I knew that we had some in the house but were they the same. You never know where Kate will find a particular treasure. Sure enough, she had been in the bathroom and happened upon some paper that conveniently had butterfly's on them, what luck! Needless to say, several guests have noticed the artwork and after wondering why they laugh, she quickly tells them, "I LOVE butterfly's!"

"You Spin Me, Right Round"

This weekend I got to go Antique shopping with my dear friend, Lynetta. This is something that we both really enjoy doing. She really has an eye for decorating and can make old things look very cool. Here we are at a shop with some old oars that we bought. As you can see by the picture, it is FULL of stuff to look at. This is usually a good sign that prices will be low but, you never know what people will consider a treasure.

It is also a lot of fun to consider where these artifacts came from. What story do they tell? The older gentleman that owns the shop is very interesting. He has pure white hair, always has a hat on and always gives his opinion on how we should use our purchases. I Love that about him. He reminds me of Santa Claus. This time he told us that we were just going to be "spinning" in circles with only one oar. We laughed and told him that we were going to use them to decorate. He then mentioned painting them and "hanging" pots and pans from them in the kitchen. We, of course, love that they are weathered and wouldn't change that one bit, ha ha. We didn't mention that though because we love his ideas and input. It always makes the trip that much more fun!

I got the oar for my boys room but I like it so much, we'll have to see if it stays there!